Running your normal wash cycle on a Whirlpool washing machine is nothing out of the ordinary. Things get dicey when your washer gets stuck on the rinse cycle.
Typically, the washing machine will wash and rinse your clothes when you run your cycle. However, it will start rinsing the garments once more as soon as it finishes the initial rinse. It will repeat the rinse cycle until you stop running the washer.
On some occasions, canceling your current wash cycle and restarting the washer on a rinse and spin cycle will correct the problem temporarily.
In most cases, the Whirlpool washing machine gets stuck on a continuous loop of rinse cycle because of a door lid switch problem, a technical glitch, a damaged control board, a faulty drain hose, or an unbalanced load.
To fix this issue, you need to understand the underlying cause of the problem and possible solutions. This guide will help you understand this problem and propose fixes that you can apply.
Contact Whirlpool technical support for help if you have a valid warranty on your Whirlpool washing machine. Opening the machine in an attempt to fix it will invalidate the warranty. As such, open your machine as a means of last resort or if it has no valid warranty.
Why is My Whirlpool Washing Machine Stuck on the Rinse Cycle?
1. Heavy or Unbalanced Load
Putting too much load in your Whirlpool washing machine is likely to cause uneven distribution of garments leading to an unbalanced load in the drum.
Clothes will clump together inside the washer and put more weight on one side of your Whirlpool washing machine during a spin cycle. It might also be too heavy for your washing machine.
This will compromise the normal functioning of your washer. In some cases, your washing machine will stick in a rinse cycle when its in-built safety mechanism is engaged.
This is a safety feature that’s triggered by a heavy or unbalanced load, to protect the washer from excessive vibration or damage during spinning.
Like most modern washing machines, the Whirlpool washer comes fitted with sensors and other safety features. These sensors track the machine’s movements and vibrations. If they pick up imbalance or excess vibrations, the machine’s safety features will engage to protect itself and the laundry against damage.
Fix – Readjust the Load
Pause the cycle and readjust the load. Open the door of your washing machine and check the load inside the machine. Look for clothes that are lumped together and disentangle them manually. After that, distribute the load evenly inside your washing machine to eliminate the possibility of an imbalance in a spin cycle.
If the load is too heavy, you will have to remove excess wet clothes from the washing machine. Ensure your load does not exceed the washing machine’s weight capacity.
Run a spin and drain cycle to balance and get rid of excess water in the washing machine. This will ensure the load is well distributed in the machine before spinning.
Finally, close the lid or door of your washer. Restart it and run the rinse cycle. Observe if the problem is resolved. If the problem persists, then check the washer water inlet valve.
2. Faulty or Blocked Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve is responsible for getting water into the washing machine during a wash and rinse cycle. It has hot water and cold water solenoid valves. It is a crucial piece of the Whirlpool washing machine.
To rinse clothes, your washing machine will need a supply of fresh hot or cold water during the rinse cycle. As such, the water inlet valve will open and let in water according to your machine’s settings.
However, it can get blocked or clogged by minerals. It can also break down or suffer from wear and tear. When it does, your washer will not get enough amount of water to perform its function.
Over time, water deposits and sediments build up in the water inlet valve filter or screen leading to blockage. Consequently blocking or restricting water flow into the washer, forcing the washing machine to stick to the rinse cycle.
Other than a blockage, the solenoid coils in the water inlet valve can break down and fail to close or open well. This will restrict water flow into the washing machine. As a result, your washing machine will not advance to the rinse cycle or it may stick in the rinse cycle permanently as it waits for the right level of water to be achieved in the drum.
Fix – Inspect, Clean, or Replace the Water Inlet Valve
To correct this problem, you need to:
- Turn off or disconnect your Whirlpool washing machine from its power source.
- Check your washer’s main water supply and ensure it supplies a sufficient amount of water.
- Look at the back of your washing machine to find the water inlet valve. Switch off the main water supply into the washing machine.
- Inspect the valve’s filters or screens. Look for signs of clogs and blockages. Use a screwdriver to get rid of debris on the filters. For a finer cleaning, use a soft brush and running water. Test if the water is flowing properly after cleaning.
- If the problem persists, use a multimeter to test the valve’s resistance. An infinity reading on the multimeter signifies a broken water inlet valve. You need to replace it. Use your user’s manual to replace the valve.
After cleaning or replacing the valve, turn on the machine’s water supply and its power source. Run the rinse cycle to confirm if the problem is fixed. If it persists, you might have to inspect the washing machine’s pressure switch.
3. Broken Pressure Switch
The pressure switch is also known as the water level switch. It tracks the level of water in your washer’s drum during rinse and wash cycles.
Essentially, water flows into the washer’s drum for a wash or rinse cycle. When the desired water level is reached, the pressure switch takes note and notifies the machine’s control board, which will then advance the machine’s processes to the next stage.
When the pressure switch breaks down, the Whirlpool washing machine will not be able to tell if the desired water level has been achieved, or not. As such, it will not progress to the next cycle and get stuck in the rinse cycle.
The pressure switch can break down because of control board issues, pressure hose problems or wear and tear. The pressure switch can develop mechanical or electrical problems after use over a long period. This will reduce its efficiency in detecting water levels in the drum.
Fix – Inspect, Test, and Replace
Unplug or turn off the power source of your washing machine. Check the water hose for blockages, kinks, and twists. Fix all the issues with your hose to ensure water flows freely into your washer.
After that, check the washer’s pressure switch for loose connections and physical damage. Any visible damage or loose connection will require you to replace the pressure switch.
You also need to test the pressure switch for continuity using a multimeter. If it fails, you will need to replace the switch. If there is nothing wrong with the pressure switch, you might need to inspect and fix the washer’s control board. For this, you will have to enlist the services of a qualified technician.
After doing all the necessary repairs and replacing all the faulty parts, you need to restart your washing machine to see if the problem is fixed.
4. Damaged Control Board or Timer
The control board controls and sequences different wash stages of your washing machine. It reads and interprets user input by receiving signals from sensors and sensing commands to components for proper functioning. It also decides the period of each cycle, when to proceed to the next washing stage, and when a cycle should stop.
After using your washing machine over a given period, the mechanical timers are likely to fail. This will cause your washer to stick to one wash cycle. Control boards on the other can have software or electrical issues. When this happens, you might experience unresponsive buttons, unpredictable washer behavior, and a display of Whirlpool error codes.
Fix – Replace the Timer
Begin by unplugging your washer from its source of power. Locate the timer and inspect it for wear and tear. You should also use a multimeter to test the timer for continuity. In case of any damage or lack of continuity, you will need to replace it.
To replace the timer, you’ll need to open the top cover or control panel of your washer. Unscrew the mounting screws and disconnect wires attaching it to the washer. Gently lift the timer. Replace the old timer with a new timer by reversing the removal steps. You can use your user guide to replace it successfully.
5. Drainage Problems
The washer might fail to progress to the next stage if it does not drain properly during the rinse cycle. If this happens, your pump filter or drain hose could be clogged or there could be installation problems with the drain hose.
Fix – Unclog, Straighten, Repair or Replace
Inspect your drain hose for kinks, obstructions, bends, clogs, and damaged parts. If any, you need to straighten it and unclog it. Examine the drain pump (if available) for damages and blockage. Clean it if you can get to it.
After making all the necessary repairs, you can run a drain cycle to see if the issue is resolved. If it persists, you might need to consult a professional for a detailed examination of the drain components.
